Yes, deer do learn. there is no doubt about it. they now look up for stands, they didn't used to do that, I have used a automated feeder, that feeds just after sunrise, and just before sunset, and you can see them turn to the sound of it, when it goes off, and eat. Like rattling, the sound has meaning for them, and that is a learned response. Dogs can learn,(as Pavlov proved) so why is it any stretch of the imagination that deer do it too?

The only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker is observation. All the same data is present for both. The rest is understanding what you are seeing.

Woods Walker wrote:Dogs? Deer aren't even CLOSE to dogs as far as learning goes.

We had a Sheltie for many years that was SO damn smart that you couldn't even LIE to her!!!!

I have had and known some very smart dogs, which has no bearing on weather or not a deer learns. The size of the brain seems to have the most to do with train-ability, and deer and dogs aren't that far apart in brain size. (averages). There is the deer that made the new a while back, that took up residence in town, and the people adopted it. even gave it a collar and tag! We debated then, if it was smart or stupid.

The only real difference between a good tracker and a bad tracker is observation. All the same data is present for both. The rest is understanding what you are seeing.

Deer learn of corn piles or feeders by reading the notes the turkeys leave for each other. The turkeys write on birch bark trees with quill pens. If there are no birch trees, they either email or text.

Both deer and thurkeys get the season dates from Bowsite. They use to get them from AT but they are all banned for life along with me.

As I have said on many occasions, deer are not terribly smart. To a certani degree, they are creatures of habit. But once they break the habit, they usually wear regular clothes...wait a minoozle. I got confused. That is nuns that do that.

Deer are just quite aware. That is why they awear habits. Oh dam it, that is nuns again. I must have penquins on the brain. And I haven't even been to Norts.

I know a dog or cat as a house pet very quickly learns to associate sounds with a food source. Quickest way to find your cat is pour some food in their bowl - they come running. I would think a deer is as smart as a cat or dog. So yes I think they would learn this if given a week or so of conditioning.